Sheikh Khalifa pledges support to visiting Bahraini king

ABU DHABI // Sheikh Khalifa, President of the UAE, told Bahrain's king yesterday that the UAE would continue to stand beside its neighbour and contribute "to strengthening its security and stability", according to WAM, the state news agency.

In response, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who arrived yesterday to meet with UAE dignitaries at Abu Dhabi's Mushrif Palace, expressed "gratitude for the UAE's stance and its continuing support to Bahrain for achieving stability and development for the prosperity of the people".

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, were among those attending the meeting.

Last month, the UAE sent 500 police officers to Bahrain as part of the GCC's Peninsula Shield security force to restore order in the kingdom after a sharp rise in the intensity of anti-government protests.

The deployment came at the invitation of Bahrain's government, said a statement released by WAM at the time.

hkhalaf@thenational.ae